Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 21 April 2015
21 Apr 2015 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Palestinian State (Recognition)
I, too, congratulate Sandra White on securing today’s debate on this sensitive and incredibly important international issue. I think that all of us can agree with key elements of the motion in relation to the need for a negotiated two-state solution, and with the view that that resolution must come through peaceful means.
However, my position on the specific issue of recognition of Palestine is in line with that of the UK Government—namely, that although the UK reserves the right to recognise a Palestinian state bilaterally, and keeps the matter under constant consideration, that must happen at a time when it can best help to bring about peace. As the UK Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood stated last October in a similar debate at Westminster, the timing of any such recognition is vital and is, diplomatically, a card that we can play only once.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The final item of business today is a members’ business debate on motion S4M-12630, in the name of Sandra White, on recognition of the Palestinian state. The...
Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (SNP)
SNP
I thank the members of the Scottish Parliament who signed my motion, giving it cross-party support and enabling the debate to take place. I also thank the ma...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
A large number of members want to speak in the debate this evening. In order to ensure that I can call everyone, I am minded at this stage to accept a motion...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
Thank you. Even so, I must still ask members to keep speeches to four minutes. 17:10
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I apologise to Sandra White because I will have to leave after my speech. I commend her for bringing the debate to the chamber: it is absolutely the right th...
Christina McKelvie (Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse) (SNP)
SNP
I thank my friend and colleague Sandra White for bringing the issue, once again, to Parliament. She has been a great champion of the cause, and she has certa...
Cameron Buchanan (Lothian) (Con)
Con
I, too, congratulate Sandra White on securing today’s debate on this sensitive and incredibly important international issue. I think that all of us can agree...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
Could Cameron Buchanan comment on most people’s view that the best time for peace is always now?
Cameron Buchanan
Con
I agree that the best time for peace is now, but recognition of a Palestinian state is dependent on certain conditions being met first and which I will now e...
Cara Hilton (Dunfermline) (Lab)
Lab
I congratulate Sandra White on securing this important debate and I declare an interest as a member of the cross-party group on Palestine and as a member of ...
Michael Russell (Argyll and Bute) (SNP)
SNP
I commend Sandra White for securing the debate and I commend the many other members past and present—I notice that Pauline McNeill is in the public gallery—w...
Jim Hume (South Scotland) (LD)
LD
I thank Sandra White for lodging the motion, which I fully support. She has a history of supporting the Palestinian cause, not only in the Parliament but in ...
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I warmly welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate on an issue of such international importance and warmly congratulate Sandra White on securing ...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Ind)
Ind
I, too, congratulate Sandra White on bringing this timely debate to the chamber. I have confidence in humanity’s ability to do things right. It sometimes ta...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am pleased that members of the Parliament have gathered to hold this important debate. I thank Sandra White for bringing the motion to our chamber and for ...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
I, too, thank Sandra White for lodging the motion. I agree with the motion’s proposal that we need a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. There are q...
Sandra White
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
John Mason
SNP
No, if Sandra White does not mind—I am just about finished. There is a Jewish cemetery that backs on to my garden. Some time ago, its wall had anti-Jewish s...
Alison Johnstone (Lothian) (Green)
Green
I, too, thank Sandra White for bringing this important debate to the chamber. As Sandra White noted, the UN General Assembly proposed a two-state solution i...
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
I, too, congratulate Sandra White on securing this debate, and I also pay tribute to her for her long-standing work on Palestine, and to others across the ch...